Encino DUI Attorney

Being arrested and facing DUI charges may be socially embarrassing, but it can affect many other aspects of your life for months if not years. As a public record, it is accessible to anyone, including employers and landlords. Call an Encino DUI attorney at (888) 754-9860 to get the representation you need.

The more immediate effects of a conviction can be overwhelming–jail time, suspension of your driver’s license, payment of a fine in the hundreds of dollars, mandatory attendance at DUI classes, and court and other costs of thousands of dollars. Talk to an Encino DUI attorney to discuss your options.

Encino DUI attorneys handle dozens of DUI cases each year and are seasoned in the courtroom, presenting formidable challenges that have led to favorable outcomes in many cases. If you were arrested for a DUI, call an Encino DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.

Overview of DUI Proceedings

A DUI case involves an administrative proceeding and several criminal court appearances, all of which should be handled by your Encino DUI attorney. These include:

  • DMV hearing. This has to be requested within 10-days ofyour arrest. Your Encino DUI attorney can raise certain issues that in numerous cases have avoided license suspension for many clients.

  • Held shortly after your arrest in most cases, you appear with your Encino DUI attorney and enter a not guilty plea.

  • Pretrial discovery and investigation. Your Encino DUI attorney gathers reports and other evidence from the prosecutor and conducts an investigation that can lead to dismissal of charges or exclusion of potentially harmful evidence. Your Encino DUI attorney will try to negotiate a favorable resolution if possible.

  • If not resolved, your Encino DUI lawyer will defend you at trial.

DUI Defenses

Through solid preparation and a firm knowledge of the DUI laws, police procedures, and of factors that often influence breath and blood test results, your Encino DUI lawyer will raise any number of possible defenses centered around these issues:

  • Possible police misconduct

  • Influences of your medical or physical condition on your arrest and BAC results

  • Validity and integrity of the breath or blood tests

  • Bias, inconsistencies or errors in police testimony, records and reports

  • No driving, drinking after driving and other defenses found by your Encino DUI lawyer

DUI Penalties

DUI sentences vary from county to county, especially if aggravating circumstances were present. There are separate penalties for a first, second, third and felony convictions. These penalties are typically imposed:

First DUI or DWI

The usual penalties for a first DUI or DWI are:

    1. Jail.48 hours in jail and up to 6-months; 3-years of probation

    2. Suspension of license. Loss of driving privileges for 4 to 10-months though you may be eligible for a restricted license; if BAC testing was refused, the suspension is one year

    3. Fines: $390 with costs over $1,800

    4. DUI classes: 3-months

    5. Insurance and installation: Secure SR-22 insurance and possibly install an interlock ignition system

Second DUI or DWI

Penalties for a second DUI or DWI within 10 years of the first include:

  1. Jai 96 hours and up to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation

  2. Suspension of license. 2-year suspension with eligibility for restricted license unless testing was refused.

  3. Fines: $390 to $1000 but over $10,000 in costs

  4. DUI Classe 18 to 30-months

  5. 5. Installation and insurance. SR-22 insurance and Interlock ignition system

Third DUI or DWI

Conviction of a third DUI or DWI in 10 years may include:

  1. Jail. 120 days to one year in county jail and 3-5 years probation

  2. Suspension of license. 3-years with restricted license after 12-months

  3. Fines: $390 to $1000 and other costs up to $15,000

  4. DUI classes. 30-months

  5. Installation and insurance. SR-22 insurance and interlock system

Fourth DUI or DWI

A fourth DWI or DWI is a felony ,but it could be negotiated to a misdemeanor by your Encino DUI lawyer.

If a felony, you face:

  1. Jail. 16 months, 2 or 3 years in jail and formal probation for up to 5 years

  2. Suspension of license: 4-years

  3. Fines: Up to $5000 with associated costs of up to $18,000

  4. Habitual traffic offender status. 3 years

  5. Mandatory DUI classes. 30-months

  6. Installation and insurance. SR-22 insurance and interlock system

Commercial DUI or DWI

Commercial drivers need an Encino DUI lawyer as they can be convicted of a commercial DUI or DWI if their BAC is 0.04%.

Penalties include:

  1. Jail. Same as for a motorist with a Class C license for first or multiple DUI or DWI offenses

  2. Driver’s license suspension.

  • Loss of commercial driver’s license for one year, regardless of the vehicle you were driving

  • Life-time suspension for a second conviction

  • Your Class C license is also affected

  1. Fines. From $390 to $1000

  2. DUI Classes. Same as for other offenders

  3. Insurance and installation. Securing of SR-22 insurance and possible installation of an interlock system

Call an Encino DUI Lawyer

If you were arrested for a DUI, call an Encino DUI lawyer today at (888) 754-9860.

Encino CA 91316
(888) 754-9860